Nursing brassiere garment

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a brassiere garment for use in nursing. The brassiere garment is constructed as a garment. The brassiere garment portion of the garment has adequate support and is provided with cups which can be opened and closed without having to unfasten a brassiere garment from a wearer. The cups fit snugly enough to hold breast pads in place. The garment portion is aesthetically pleasing. Thus the invention provides a garment which is self sufficient, not requiring a bra.

BACKGROUND

[0001] Women have had trouble finding clothing that is functional for wear when nursing babies. What many women's desires is something comfortable and tasteful, yet convenient when nursing. Women want clothing which allows for easy access to breast at appropriate times. Therefore, the nursing session can be fulfilled without a hassle. Some women must move the top garment to access her brassiere. The garment designs normally require the wearer to use two hands to move the garment open, usually by way of a button or snap. This is an inconvenience to the wearer since some women have one hand on a baby and the other to access breast. Unfortunately it takes two hands to unbutton or unsnap the garment. Also, most nursing brassieres require the need for dexterous manipulation. The average nursing brassiere is usually constructed with some type of fastener in order to open and close a brassiere cup. The awkwardness of the prior designs and the need for dextrous manipulation of the clothing and brassiere for a breast exposer are particularly an undesirable feature. Previous attempts to provide suitable clothing have typically been characterized by either: 1. a slit or flap type offering no support. Therefore, the women had to wear a brassiere also. 2. a bodice type with stretchable fabric straps, therefore when pulled downward the entire breast is exposed not allowing for discreteness. This design also offers very little support. What is needed is a single self-sufficient garment suitable for nursing. A garment with adequate support, that is attractive with easy access to breast while still being discrete.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide for a nursing brassiere garment that can be worn without the need of a conventional brassiere for easy access to breast.

[0003] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a nursing brassiere garment that offers support and is aesthetically pleasing.

[0004] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide for a nursing brassiere garment that does not require the need for dexterous manipulation while the breast cups are being opened and closed.

[0005] It is yet another object of the invention to provide for a nursing brassiere garment which can comfortably expand and contract as do a nursing women's breast. The ability to expand and contract is derived from the stretchable fabric which is utilized and also facilitates the opening and closing of the breast cup.

[0006] It is yet another object of the invention to provide for a nursing brassiere garment that can be worn other than in nursing. When the top front panel and inside panel are combined into a single piece to form an outside panel.

SUMMARY

[0007] The problems mentioned are in large measure solved by an innovative garment invention. That is to say, the invention hereof provides an attractive garment which is self sufficiently. It is supportive and does not need the additional security of a brassiere. The opening and closing of a breast cup to access breast milk for baby are done by separating top front panel from inside front panel and do not require any fastening means. The brassiere garment optionally provides sleeves for additional aesthetics. The present invention also provides a skirt for a tasteful effect. The straps are reinforced with a girdle fabric which is sandwiched between the top and underside fabrics. This allows for better support. An elastic band which is attached along a lower edge of front bottom panel and lower edge of back panel allowing for additional support. It should also be noted that the top front panel and the inside front panel may be combined or attached to form a single panel therefore garments can be worn other than in nursing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a front view of the brassiere garment showing each garment piece attached with brassiere portion shaded and bra cup open.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a front view of the brassiere by itself without garment attached with left side of bra cup open. It also shows back view of brassiere by itself. Front and back are marked respectively.

[0010]FIG. 3 shows the brassiere garment as a dress with a decorative fabric.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a perspective of the brassiere garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] The present invention is a brassiere garment for nursing a baby. The garment provides easy access to breast milk for baby's consumption. The main inventive feature is that the brassiere has adequate support and is constructed as a garment. It has sleeves, midriff panel and/or skirt attached as to look like a garment.

[0013] Refer to FIG. 1. The brassiere portion of the garment, preferably constructed with a stretchable and resilient fabric, is shaded. The left cup is shown open to expose breast.

[0014] A collar 10 attached to the inside front panel 32. The collar would be attached to seam 36, shown in FIG. 4, using proper stitching appropriate to fabric used. The collar 10 could be of the same or different fabric used on that of the entire garment. The style is not limited to the design shown.

[0015] A short sleeve 14 or a long sleeve 18 is attached at seam 38, shown in FIG. 4, using proper stitching appropriate to the fabric used. The sleeves 14 or 18 could be of the same fabric or different to that used on the garment as a whole. This is not limited to the design shown.

[0016] A skirt 22 is attached at seam 44, using proper stitching appropriate to fabric used. A skirt panel could be of the same fabric or different to that used on the entire garment as a whole. The style is not limited to the one shown. When design is sleeveless, seam 38 will have decorative elastic bias attached, using appropriate stitching.

[0017] Refer to FIG. 4. A midriff panel 20 is attached at seam 44 using proper stitching appropriate to fabric used. A midriff panel 20 could be of the same fabric or different to that used on the entire garment as a whole. The style is not limited to the one shown.

[0018] The shoulder strap 30 contains a girdle fabric (not shown) which is sandwiched inside shoulder strap 30 for added support yet gives way for comfort.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0019] A breast cup has a bottom front panel 42 that is attached to a top front panel 40 preferably constucted with a stretchable and resilient fabric. The size of these particular pattern pieces depends solely on the brassiere size itself. Bottom front panel 42 and top front panel 40 are lined preferably with fabric that keeps moisture away from the body.

[0020] The inner front panel 32 is shown with underside depicted by dotted lines. The front panel 32 is attached at seam 48, at the middle of seam 38 and at the lower half of the shoulder seam 38. Seam edges 34 and 50 would be finished using a picot elastic or fold over bias elastic.

[0021] A one and one half inches wide elastic band 46 going around diaphragm is attached above seam 44, giving adequate support. When the back panel has no hooks or attachments, the garment is simply pulled over the head.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows the basic brassiere, front and back, without any garment attachments. The left breast cup is shown in the open position. The style of the opening is not limited to the opening shown. Hooks, fasteners, snaps or slits could be used. The slit is preferable as a more discrete kind of opening.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows the brassiere garment constructed as a dress. The style is not limited to the one shown.

[0024] Although the brassiere garment has been described in detail herein, with reference to its preferred embodiment and certain described alternatives, it is to be understood that this description is by way of example only, and is not to be construed in a limiting sense.

Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

[0025] The brassiere garment operates as follows; the object of the design is so as not to have to bother with an undergarment, that being a bra, or an overgarment, that being a blouse or dress. When the nursing brassiere has garment attached, it becomes less troublesome to access breast milk for baby's consumption.

[0026] When a nursing session is to take place, the mother simply pulls down on top front panel 40 while inner front panel 32 remains, therefore the breast is suitably exposed for nursing baby.

[0027] The midriff panel 20 is desirable if the woman prefers to hide her midriff. The midriff panel 20 does not interfere in any way with the pull down function of the top front panel 40.

[0028] The straps 30 deform and elongate slightly to accommodate this motion.

[0029] The sleeves 14 or 18 do not interfere with the operation of accessing breast milk.

[0030] When the nursing session is complete, the top front panel 40 is simply grasped and pulled over breast and the brassiere garment resumes its original shape.

[0031] Therefore the brassiere garment provides a garment which is attractive yet convenient and self sufficient. 

I claim:
 1. A nursing brassiere garment suitable for use by a woman nursing a baby comprising of; A pair of breast cups, connected to right and left shoulder strap panel means, optionally a collar panel or neckband panel, including a top back panel, a bottom back panel and an elastic band. Further comprising of a midriff panel, a right and left sleeve panel, a front skirt panel and a back skirt panel. A nursing brassiere garment to clothe a nursing woman that is aesthetically pleasing.
 2. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 including breast cups. That being a right breast and a left breast. Each having a top front panel, a bottom front panel and an inside front panel. The top front panel folds over the inside front panel. The upper diagonal edge of top front panel and the lower diagonal edge of inside front panel are not attached, so as to enable to be stretched or elongated by pulling downwardly on top front panel, therefore the breast cup separates and breast is exposed.
 3. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said upper edge of said bottom front panel and said lower edge of said top front panel are attached together vertically.
 4. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said inside front panel, on the lower edge, is attached vertically between the said bottom front panel and said top front panel seam. The upper edge of inside front panel, is attached vertically on the lower edge of shoulder strap seam.
 5. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said breast cups, that being a said right breast cup and a said left breast cup are attached along a center seam.
 6. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 including a collar panel or neckband panel.
 7. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 6 wherein said collar panel or said neckband panel is attached around neck portion of garment.
 8. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 including a shoulder strap panel, that being a right shoulder strap panel and a left shoulder strap panel. Each include a girdle fabric sandwiched between top side fabric and lining side fabric for reinforcement and support.
 9. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 8 wherein said shoulder strap panel is vertically attached in back along top back panel. The said shoulder strap panel is attached vertically in front along said top front panel and said inside front panel.
 10. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 including a sleeve panel that being a right sleeve panel and a left sleeve panel.
 11. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sleeve panel is attached to the brassiere portion and armhole of the garment. The right and left sleeves dispose on opposite sides of the brassiere or bodice portion of the garment.
 12. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 including a front midriff panel and a bottom back panel, for the purpose of a tee shirt or blouse design.
 13. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 12 wherein said front midriff panel and said bottom back panel are attached along lower edge of said front bottom panel and lower edge of said top back panel, below said elastic band edge. The said front midriff panel and said bottom back panel are attached vertically together on side seams, that being a left and right side.
 14. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 including a front skirt panel and a back skirt panel, for the purpose of a dress design.
 15. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 14 wherein said front skirt panel and said back skirt panel are attached along lower edge of said front bottom panel and lower edge of said top back panel, below said elastic band edge. The said front skirt panel and said back skirt panel are attached vertically together on side seams, that being a left and right side.
 16. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 including an elastic band.
 17. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 16 wherein said elastic band is secured to the lower edge of said bottom front panel and the lower edge of said top back panel, at diaphragm location. The said elastic band is about one and a half inches in width and the length is determined by the size of the nursing brassiere garment.
 18. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said front breast cups and said top back panel are attached vertically along side seams, that being a right side and a left side.
 19. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein any said such panels are made of a fabric which is stretchable in at least one direction and may comprise of a fabric that has absorbent, anti-bacterial, or special wicking properties.
 20. A nursing brassiere garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein any said such panels has a lining layer that has absorbent, anti-bacterial, or special wicking properties. 